Develop your skills and become a Swim Official
Intrerested in going deeper and become an official? Want to know the rules and become part of the workings of a sports organisation? As a Swim Official, you learn, engage and officiate at swimming competitions. You can go as far up the hierarch as you want. There are no limits. Some have gone as far as being an Internationally recognised FINA official and have officated at the Commonwealth games! If you would like to consider becoming a Swim Official, come an speak to a member of our Officials before doing anything else. They will give you advice, and take you through your Swim Official journey.
How to become a Swim Official
All Swim Official courses are done through the your County, Region, and through the Institute of Swimming. Head over to the Aquatics GB website to understand the levels of Swim Official. And head to the South East Region website to learn more, find and book a course.
There are five levels of Swim Officials:
1) Timekeeper
2) Judge Level 1
3) Judge Level 2
4) Judge Level 2S - Starter
5) Referee
Timekeeper
This is an introduction into the world of the swimming official. It covers the practical aspects of what is required of a timekeeper by means of a short theory session, which can be delivered face to face or undertaken online, followed by a demonstration of practical competence.
The minimum recommended age for candidates to undertake this training is 14 years, and all need to be registered members of a British Swimming affiliated club or member of the Institute of Swimming (IoS).
Judge Level 1
Monday 27th January 2020 saw the launch of the new online theory modules for the training of the pool Judge 1 technical officials. This brings to a close a considerable amount of work in partnership with Swim England and the Institute of Swimming to ensure we are delivering a quality product to our volunteers.
Once their theory training is complete and registered, candidates will be provided with local contacts to guide them through their practical assessments. Training resources have been updated, and clear guidance is now included on suggested timescales for completing each competence, with a time limit of 11 months being introduced.
Upon completion of all Judge 1 training individuals will automatically be issued with their first licence, which will be valid for 4 years, which then enable them to apply to volunteer at all events up to and including National level.
Judge Level 2
This is the second level of qualification. It encompasses the role and duties in relation to all aspects of judging and the theoretical role and duties of Starter.
The minimum age to start training is 16 years and candidates must a have already qualified as Judge Level 1 and undertaken 20 hours post qualification poolside work in the role of a Judge 1. The training is made up of instruction on the theoretical aspects of the role and mentored pool side training with a workbook, which allows the candidate to demonstrate practical competence prior to qualification.
Judge Level 2S - Starter
Candidates wishing to qualify as a Starter will be required hold the Judge Level 2 qualification and have completed a minimum of 20 hours post qualification experience as Judge Level 2.
Training will consist of a prescribed number of practical experiences as a Starter before undertaking a formal practical assessment.
Referee
The minimum age for training is 19 years providing the candidate is aged 20 years as at 30 November in the year of the theory examination.
This course contains theoretical instruction and specified practical experiences. It is followed by a formal examination in November after which successful candidates take a final poolside practical assessment leading to qualification as a British Swimming Referee.
Several months have been allocated between registration and the formal examination to enable candidates to undertake all the practical experience required to complete the course as well as the theoretical instruction.
